Gusset style pouch, in particular for food product, containing a measuring device

ABSTRACT

A gusset style pouch is provided with a resealable closure system configured to selectively define a top opening of the pouch, at the opposite from a bottom, at least one strip of this system being adapted for locking an open configuration, by engaging locking elements that pivot and cause interengagement between the strips of the closure system. The locking elements are integrally formed with at least one strip of the system and made of a semi rigid plastic material, less flexible than material of the pouch sidewall. An elongated predetermined measuring utensil of shorter length than height of an interior pouch volume can be stored along the sidewall by use of a holding part formed on the strip as a lower extension. A leveling can also be performed using a free edge below the interlocking area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a pliable reclosable plastic package, possibly adapted to store a food product taken out from the package (for instance granular edible products, using a predetermined utensil serving as a measuring device). More particularly, the invention relates to a flexible pouch, in particular gusset style pouch intended for a food product, having a resealable closure system and comprising:

a flexible bag having a front wall and a rear wall made of a sheet material and extending from a bottom;

a closure system comprising a fitment device secured to the front wall and the rear wall, the closure system comprising:

-   -   a first strip having an outer surface sealed to the front wall,         and     -   a second strip having an outer surface sealed to the rear wall;         the bag defining an interior volume for the food product, the         interior volume having a determined height measured between the         bottom and a single opening of the bag.

Typically, at least one of the first strip and the second strip (for example made of a determined semi rigid plastic material) comprises an upper edge and a lower edge (the closure system having a transversal disposition).

This kind of flexible pouch is disclosed for example in document US 2014/0120207. While a utensil may be provided with the pouch, such utensil is typically a toothpick, a knife or similar planar utensil. The utensil cannot be stored in the interior volume of the pouch as in known rigid containers (see for example the rigid container disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,651,311 or in WO 2008/041808).

There is a need to provide user-friendly features in a flexible pouch filled with a consumer product.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a reclosable pouch container, especially a gusset style pouch, showing user-friendly features by a simple manufacturing process, and which can be at least as robust as conventional gusset pouches.

To this end, the subject of the present invention is a flexible pouch of the abovementioned type, wherein at least one of the front wall and the rear wall defines a support for a determined strip that comprises a protruding contact adapted to be used in combination with a measuring utensil, the protruding contact part extending entirely below an interlocking area of the closure system.

The determined strip having the protruding part is defined by at least one of the first strip and the second strip or may be distinct from the closure system. When distinct from the closure system, the determined strip extends transversally inside the bag substantially parallel to the closure system (so as to define an upper edge and a lower edge). The protruding contact part is preferably coupled to the lower edge of the determined strip.

Advantageously, the protruding contact part:

-   -   extends between at least one base portion (which may be proximal         with respect to the interlocking area) and at least one free         edge, preferably a same free edge, distal from the interlocking         area (more distal than the base portion);     -   belongs to a strip portion not bonded to the bag; and     -   defines at least one of a leveling element and a retaining         element for retaining an end of an elongated measuring utensil         of shorter length than the determined height.

In other words, the closure system of the flexible pouch has at least one of the strips that is provided with a specific tongue-like part or similar contact part (possibly defined by two spaced protruding members) that protrudes toward the content and is matching with the cup shape and/or retaining feature of a measuring utensil. The pouch is here intended in particular for a food product in powder form (but also possibly wet product), which comprises a fitment at the upper end that defines the single opening.

Since the free edge can be distant from the inner face of the bag, the consumer can easily use the contact part as a leveling element and/or as a holding part where the measuring utensil can be repeatedly stored and retrieved (directly by grasping the handle, at a distance from the food product or other content). The protruding contact part is typically a tongue-like elastically deformable member, which protrudes sufficiently from the lower edge of the closure system, so that the leveling can be performed at a distance from the side wall of the bag. With the elasticity of the contact part, the user is not obliged to incline the measuring device almost vertically which could cause some of the product to fall out and thereby lead to a mismeasurement.

According to a particular, the pouch can be provided with a closure system enabling the particularly easy returning of a specific or nonspecific measuring device to the interior volume of the pouch, such that the user may retrieve this device during a subsequent use while limiting the risks of product contamination.

According to an alternating or complementary particular, the pouch can be provided with a closure system enabling the particularly easy leveling of a measuring device that is specific or nonspecific measuring device, just above the content and below the opening plane defined by the closure system, using the free edge of the protruding contact part. Here, it is understood that the closure system can be operated in any suitable manner, possibly without any anchoring elements. The closure feature is not limited in any way and, for instance, strips provided with magnetic material or magnetic members to perform a magnetic closure could be used. In such option, magnetic members could be reusable with different pouches having a same housing above the opening plane to retain the magnetic means.

The presence of a leveling element proves useful in practice for leveling the contents of a spoon or any other more complex measuring device by sliding the open side of the cup of this spoon past the free edge of this leveling element.

When a granular or powdery product needs to be measured precisely, it is preferable for the user to use for each use the same utensil or measuring device the volume of which is precisely defined. Moreover, if variable volumes of product need to be measured, as is the case in particular for baby milk powder, where the volume to be taken out depends on the quantity of milk to be prepared, the measuring device may prove to be rather more complex than a simple spoon. It is therefore highly useful for the user to be able to retrieve the measuring device immediately for each use. However, for this purpose, the user should not have to carry out an unnatural or relatively tiresome operation at the end of the preceding use.

Preferably, the fitment device has a simple structure with two strips that are interlockable strips, preferably made of a semi rigid material.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, use is furthermore made of at least one of the following arrangements:

the flexible bag contains:

-   -   edible material, for example edible granular material and         preferably milk powder, and     -   the measuring utensil provided with a cup and a handle, which is         adapted to be stored in the interior volume (typically entirely         below anchoring elements of the closure system) in a storage         position of the measuring utensil,

the first strip or the second strip is provided with a holding part made of strip material, preferably as thin as the first strip and the second strip, and configured to maintain the measuring utensil in the storage position by a retaining contact defined at an end of the handle;

the handle of the measuring utensil is provided with an insertion housing, preferably a slit of the measuring utensil, and the retaining contact is obtained by clamping of the holding part into the insertion housing;

the holding part is provided with a free edge that defines a leveling element and is distal relative to a junction between the holding part and the interlocking area (the free edge is designed to come into engagement with said measuring utensil);

the free edge extends parallel to a length of the interlocking area;

the elongated predetermined measuring utensil, which is provided with the pouch, comprises a first end having a cup and a second end, the predetermined measuring utensil extending between the first end and the second end, the cup being provided with an open side;

the second end of the predetermined measuring utensil comprises a clamping slit configured to match the free edge of the protruding contact part, the predetermined measuring utensil being oriented in a direction transverse to the interlocking area when the free edge is inserted into the slit;

the second end of the predetermined measuring utensil comprises at least one sliding projection configured to slide and be retained into a slot of the protruding contact part, the predetermined measuring utensil being oriented in a direction transverse to the interlocking area when the sliding projection is inserted into the slot;

the free edge has a length, defined by a rectilinear portion, which is at least equal to the open side of the cup;

the free edge extends at a distance from any junction between the first strip and the second strip (and at a distance from longitudinal junctions between a front wall and a rear wall of the bag); the free edge thus has a size inferior to length of the closure system and such free edge is easier to use in a wide open state of the pouch (especially when the pouch is provided with a hold open arrangement);

one of the strips of the closure system comprises at least one locking tab that is hinged and defines a bulged part protruding externally relative to the outer face of the corresponding strip; such locking tab may engage in a recess or other kind of contact surface provided in the other strip when the closure system is in the open configuration (the locking tab extends from a base at a flexing line to a sliding edge proximal to a permanent junction between the ends of the strips);

a shoulder defines all or part of the contact surface and a sliding edge of the locking tab engages the contact surface.

A further purpose of the invention is to provide a method of using a closure system, in a gusset style pouch, to facilitate operation of retrieving a food content inside the pouch by a measuring utensil. Indeed, user-friendly handling of a measuring utensil is needed.

To this end, embodiments of the present invention provide a method of using a closure system of a gusset style pouch, the closure system comprising a semi rigid fitment device secured to the flexible front wall and the flexible rear wall and configured to define a top opening of the pouch, at the opposite to a bottom, the method comprising the steps essentially consisting of:

providing an elongated predetermined measuring utensil of shorter length than height of an interior volume defined by the pouch, the measuring utensil having a handle free end opposite to a cup,

fixing the predetermined measuring utensil to the fitment device by connecting a holding part of the fitment device to a retaining element, preferably forming a clamping rear slit, provided at the handle free end of the measuring utensil, the holding part extending entirely below the opening,

whereby the handle free end extends above a content of the pouch and a substantially vertical storage position for the measuring utensil is obtained when the pouch stands in a upright position where the bottom defines bearing means of the pouch.

Accordingly, when the pouch is used the next time, the measuring utensil is immediately visible and can be withdrawn very easily if the handle free end is adjacent to the opening and orientation of the measuring utensil is already a vertical orientation. In other words, the measuring utensil is ready to be used immediately for each use.

Independently or in combination with above mentioned, and with understanding that examples and details of realization hereafter described each can be used in isolation, the present invention here relates to a gusset style pouch comprising:—a bag (for instance a pilowbag or Doypack®) having a bottom, a front wall and a rear wall defining a flexible sidewall extending around a longitudinal axis, two junctions (typically longitudinal junctions extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sidewall) at opposite sides between the front wall and the rear wall, so that the bag defines a single opening adjacent to an upper end of the bag;

a closure system comprising a first strip sealed to the front wall and a second strip sealed to the rear wall, the first strip and the second strip having inner mating surfaces, so as to define interlockable strips for attachment at an interlocking area in a closed configuration of the closure system;

a hold open arrangement comprising:

i) a first flexing line adjacent to one of the two junctions,

ii) a second flexing line adjacent to the other of the two junctions, and

iii) a main flexible part extending between a first end partly delimited by the first flexing line and a second end partly delimited by the second flexing line, locking means being rigidly coupled to at least one of the first end and the second end of the main flexible part and configured to pivot from a first flat configuration obtained when the closure system is in the closed configuration to a second bent, flexed, or engaged configuration.

A package of this type is known for example from document US 2014/0014789. The main flexible part is provided with two opposite locking flexures rigidly coupled to the first end and the second end of the main flexible part, such locking flexures being in locking contact with a surface of a complementary flexible part in the second configuration. Applying a slight pressure opens the arrangement to obtain a non-flat configuration and when the mechanism reaches a predetermined point, at least one of the ends (preferably the two ends) reaches a lock position, maintaining an open configuration. Closing the mechanism only requires a slight pressure to be applied to the external surface of the flexible parts of the hold open arrangement, resulting in the flexures unlocking and rotating towards a closed configuration. When used to store edible food product for example, the open end of the pouch is typically sealed between uses in order to prolong the useful life of the remaining amount of product stored therein.

The bag can be maintained in the open configuration, which is advantageous when a product (preferably a flowable food product), for instance cereals, powdered milk, or similar granular food product has to be retrieved by the user.

However, operation for assembling the closure system and the hold open arrangement in an upper part of the flexible bag is complex, and actually not put into practice with efficient results. Accurate positioning of the one or more bands that define the hold open mechanism is difficult as strips of the closure system have also to be sealed at a top of the bag. The closure arrangements, which have to extend across the entire width of the open end, are not suitable to maintain the side walls of the container in an open position, at least at the open end of the pouch, to permit easy access to the contents.

Besides with such kind of package, if the user is retrieving the content of the pouch by a utensil (a spoon for example, along the inner face of the pouch), a tearing action against one of the halves of the hold open mechanism may occur; and if one of the halves is not sufficiently secured to the flexible material of the bag, movement between the closed state and the open state of the pouch will be altered. Such tearing action is likely to occur because the halves are only secured to a bag wall by their main flexible part, not by their ends.

Moreover, it can be of interest of having some user-friendly options in such pouch containers provided with a closure system. For instance, a pouch container (gusset style pouch) disclosed in document JP 2013169993 is provided with a foldable portion configured as a spoon holding portion. The manufacturing is also complex when adding this kind of foldable portion secured to the front and rear walls. Additionally, the parts fixed to a flexible sheet material below the closure system can impair usual foldability of a pouch container if these parts have to be made of a rigid or semi-rigid material.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a pouch container, especially a gusset style pouch, showing user-friendly features by a simple manufacturing process, and which can be at least as robust as conventional gusset pouches.

To this end, the subject of the present invention is a gusset style pouch of the abovementioned type, wherein the main flexible part and at least one locking element of the locking means are defined by the first strip which is made of a determined semi-rigid plastic material, and wherein the second strip, which is made of a semi rigid plastic material (preferably also of the determined semi rigid plastic material) defines at least one contact surface for retaining said locking element in the second configuration, whereby the first strip and the second strip of the closure system define the hold open arrangement.

With such arrangement, the gusset pouch can be manufactured with a simple assembly step, which is well adapted for mass production (i.e. with production equipment operating at a high rate). The pouch is user-friendly because the strips of the closure system provide the additional features, here for having the open configuration. It is thus understood that the same strip material can be used for defining anchoring elements or similar fixation means of the closure system, and the one or more locking elements of the hold open arrangement.

The strips that include the one or more locking elements are provided with a sealing surface (at the interlocking area), thus advantageously forming a barrier against insects and/or humidity. Preferably, the interlocking area extends from one of the two junctions to the other one of the two junctions. The locking elements are for example part of a zip-type closure (which comprise the Velcro® closures) for creating a reusable air tight seal at the open end of the pouch. Each locking element (for example a locking tab) formed in the first strip is advantageously movable relative to the bag, in order to pivot with local increase of space between the bag and the sliding edge of such locking element. For this purpose, it is understood that each locking element extends in an non-sealed area.

When having the one or more locking elements in the strips of the closure system, a more robust attachment can be obtained since each of the strips have their ends secured to the bag material at the side seams or similar junctions. In the first strip of the closure system, the non-sealed areas for allowing pivotment of the locking elements may be adjacent to the continuous sealing surface that provides a barrier effect between the first strip and the corresponding inner face of the bag. The pouch has here a gusset style since the interior volume is delimited by a flexible sidewall, preferably with a bottom gusset wall that optionnaly defines a seat (bearing means) for the pouch. Unlike conventional containers that may spring back to a closed or mostly-closed configuration when not held open (especially true where the container is a package constructed of flexible panels coupled together at a pair of longitudinal side seams), the pouch provided with the hold open arrangement is maintained in the open configuration such that the opposite rear wall and front wall of the pouch are widely separated making it easy to access withheld contents.

Of course, the term “gusset style pouch” applies for a pouch having one gusset and for a pouch having at least two gussets as well. It includes embodiments with double gusset options. The pouch is typically a “stand up pouch”. It may be vertical with substantially horizontal opening (with the bottom forming the base of the pouch) but also horizontal. In some options, the opening may extend in a plane that is tilted relative to the base of the pouch.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, use is furthermore made of at least one of the following arrangements:

the first strip comprises a first outer surface continuously sealed to the front wall and at least one second outer surface not sealed to the front wall and provided with the locking means (due to the second outer surface(s), the first flexing line and the second flexing line intersect a non-sealed area);

the strips are extruded strips each made of a single piece of a polyolefine material (strong living hinges are obtained with extruded appropriate plastic material and the strips can be sufficiently stiff; additionally, memory properties can be of interest for biasing or facilitating return of the closure system toward a flat configuration);

HDPE, PP, PE (HDPE or LDPE), PFE, PLA may be used to form all or part of the strips;

the strips may have a single layer or have a multilayer structure;

in order to secure the attachment of the fitment on the bag material without interferences for opening mechanism (lock destroyed by heating), a copolymer or multilayer material may be used to increase the sealing effect on the foil, for example by having one or more layers (including for example HDPE layer) on the external faces to prevent heat to deteriorate the complete fitment; of course, it means that only external layers will be heated with the thermoplastic material (typically LDPE) at the inner face of the bag foil;

the closure system is fixed by ultrasonic welding and/or by conventional heating (heating being performed by pure thermal conduction).

two locking elements (defining two opposite locking tabs) are rigidly coupled to the first end and the second end and are each configured to pivot from the first flat configuration to the second configuration;

the second strip defines two spaced contact surfaces, each adjacent to one of the two junctions, for retaining the two locking tabs in the second configuration;

the two locking tabs are cut and are oriented according to opposite directions in the first flat configuration (with such arrangement, the sliding edge of the locking tabs can protrude sufficiently far toward the opposite strip to ensure a good lock, with possibility for the main flexible part to not deviate as much as the locking tab);

the main flexible part is hingedly connected at said first flexing line to a pivot portion of the first strip distinct from any one of the two junctions and hingedly connected at said second flexing line to an opposite pivot portion of the second strip distinct from any one of the two junctions, the two junctions being longitudinal junctions extending parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sidewall;

the bag defines a single interior volume between the bottom, the two longitudinal junctions and the interlocking area;

the first strip and the second strip have each opposite ends that extend outside the interior volume and form part of said two longitudinal junctions;

the bag is provided with a removable top portion that defines a sealing contact at the opposite from the bottom and prevents access to the closure system, a line of weakness or at least one pre-cut being defined between the removable top portion and the closure system;

a pair of opposite pull members is provided at an upper end;

the pull members protrude upwardly from the first strip and the second strip, respectively, in the closed configuration of the closure system;

the pull members are spaced away from the two junctions and rigidly coupled to the first strip and the second strip for facilitating opening of the closure system and causing flexing of:

-   -   the main flexible part that belongs to the first strip, and     -   a complementary flexible part of the second strip, facing the         main flexible part with a space in an open configuration of the         closure system;

the first and second strips are each provided with complementary anchoring elements so that the closure system is resealable, a sealing contact being continuously defined by the anchoring elements;

each of the strips has an upper edge provided with two rectilinear upper rim portions separated by one of the pull members;

the first strip and the second strip have each a height, measured from the rectilinear rim portions, that increases with increased space from the pull member of the corresponding strip;

the flexing lines are each provided with a pair of two longitudinally spaced hinge connections (of lower thickness as compared to the thickness of the locking element);

the locking tabs are each delimited by a cut and hinged at a base thereof, the base of each of the locking tabs extending between the hinge connections of a same pair, the locking tabs being each provided with a preferably rectilinear sliding edge configured to extend along the second strip in the second configuration;

in at least one of the strips, which comprises an upper edge and a lower edge, the hinge connections have a determined material thickness reduced, and typically less than 50 percent of a material thickness of the adjacent locking tab, the determined material thickness being preferably defined by an outer slot that longitudinally extends from the upper edge to the lower edge (without such local and significant decrease in thickness, the mechanical lock for the wide-open configuration is difficult to obtain, especially after repeated openings);

the hold open arrangement comprises at least two locking tabs rigidly coupled to a same end of the main flexible part.

A pouch in accordance to the invention may be obtained by a method only bonding two strips to the inner face of the bag to make the closure system, while having an efficient and robust hold open arrangement.

More precisely, a method of producing a gusset style pouch in accordance to the invention is provided, the method comprising the steps essentially consisting of;

providing a bag having a flexible sidewall by attaching a front wall to a rear wall at two junctions that preferably extend parallel to a longitudinal axis of the sidewall, so that the front wall and the rear wall define a single opening opposite to a bottom of the bag;

adding a closure system by sealing a first strip to the front wall and a second strip to the rear wall, the first strip and the second strip being interlockable strips for attachment at an interlocking area in a closed configuration of the closure system;

cutting and/or weakening parts of one determined strip chosen amongst the first strip and the second strip of the closure system, which is made of a determined semi rigid plastic material, in order to define a first predetermined flexing line adjacent to one of the two junctions and a second predetermined flexing line adjacent to the other of the two junctions, so that a main flexible part of the determined strip extends between a first end partly delimited by the first predetermined flexing line and a second end partly delimited by the second predetermined flexing line,

cutting strip material of the determined strip to define locking means rigidly coupled to at least one of the first end and the second end and configured to pivot from a first flat configuration obtained when the closure system is in the closed configuration to a second configuration, which is a bent, flexed, or engaged configuration;

wherein the other strip, which is also made of a semi rigid plastic material (preferably of the determined semi rigid plastic material) is sealed at the opposite of the determined strip to define at least one contact surface for retaining a locking element of the locking means in the second configuration, whereby the first strip and the second strip of the closure system define a hold open arrangement of the gusset style pouch.

With such a method, the strips are bonded in a simple and robust manner to the respective inner faces of the bag walls, while providing easy access to content for the consumer.

According to a particular, each of the first strip and the second strip are cut from a continuous extruded band of a same polyolefin material and the determined strip is cut to define two opposite locking elements, the two opposite locking elements being defined before a final cut to define a length of the determined strip and after forming anchoring elements of the determined strip.

In a variant, the first strip and the second strip are each injected plastic elements (by injection ou co-injection).

According to a particular, the two respective ends of the first strip are each placed in a margin bonding area of the front wall used to define the junctions, when sealing the first strip to the front wall, while the two respective ends of the second strip are each placed in a margin bonding area of the rear wall used to define the junctions, when sealing the second strip to the rear wall. The junctions are obtained by longitudinally bonding side edges of the font wall and the rear wall, parallel (typically with a small distance inferior to 5 mm) to the flexing lines.

According to a particular, the method of producing the gusset style pouch may be performed by using a horizontal form-fill-and-seal (FFS) machine or, alternatively a vertical FFS machine. An insertion step may be performed during operations of the FFS machine to have the closure system:

inserted between the front wall and the rear wall of the bag, and

firstly sealed on one of these walls of the bag (first sealing operation, the strips of the closure system being in a closed configuration).

Possibly after filling the bag with content, a second sealing operation may occurs to have the closure system sealed on the other wall of the bag. It is understood that the method provides a specific sealing step for the sealing of the first strip that includes the one or more locking elements. Indeed such sealing has to be performed selectively in a continuous region provided with the anchoring elements and possibly other regions that do not interfere with the folding of the locking element(s). Such kind of insertion greatly differs from conventional methods for attaching a zipper or similar closure system transversally (i.e. not along the direction of motion of the plastic sheet forming the bag). In conventional methods (see for example EP0970804 B1), the closure system is attached to the planar plastic sheet that is then transported toward the FFS machine.

The insertion directly inside a bag is advantageous to better control position of the closure system relative to the bag and selectively seal areas (to obtain efficient barrier effect) without impairing mobility of the locking elements.

In a less preferred embodiment, the strips of the closure system may be connected with the respective walls or panels of the bag using an intermediate layer of connecting material, such as thermoplastic weld material, disposed between and connecting an outer face of each strip with the respective rear and front walls. In this embodiment, a hot layer of thermoplastic weld material is applied between each strip of the closure system and the respective wall of the bag. Such hot layer melts and attaches to both the bag wall and the strip, thereby forming a thermoplastic weld therebetween, which may provide a good continuous air tight seal between each bag wall and the respective strips of the closure system.

Of course, the locking elements extend at a distance from such intermediate layer.

According to a particular, the closure system is inserted and sealed in a bag already defining an interior volume but not sealed at one end (typically the upper end). Preferably, the FFS machine is provided with:

-   -   spacing means to have a wide open configuration of the bag, the         spacing means operable to open a bag before a sealing of the         opening and cutting steps; the spacing means mey be provided         with at least one clamp to displace a top portion of the rear         and/or front wall of the bag;     -   an insertion unit feeding the closure system (in a closed state)         inside a bag, while the bag is in a wide open configuration due         to the spacing means, the insertion unit preferably including         index means and/or at least one sensor (photo cell or the like)         to accurately position a closure system in each bag, onto a same         location in the inner face of the bag;     -   at least one sealing bar or similar element of a first sealing         unit, configured to heat seal the closure system between two,         preferably parallel, longitudinal junctions of the bag, onto one         wall amongst the rear wall and the front wall of the bag;     -   means for filling the interior volume of the bag with a consumer         product; and     -   at least one sealing bar or similar element of a second sealing         unit, configured to heat seal the closure system between the two         longitudinal junctions of the bag, onto the other wall amongst         the rear wall and the front wall of the bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a side view of the gusset style pouch with the closure system mounted to a bag in an open position in accordance with one embodiment;

FIG. 1B is a side view of the gusset style pouch with the closure system mounted to a bag in a closed position in accordance with one embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B show, respectively, the first strip and the second strip used in the closure system in accordance with a first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the first strip of FIG. 2A in a non-bent configuration;

FIG. 4 is a section view similar to FIG. 3, showing the closure system in an open position in accordance with the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 shows the first strip used in the closure system in accordance with a second embodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates a cutting step performed to obtain the flexing lines and two locking elements in the first strip in accordance with a third embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a detail view illustrating position of a locking element of the first strip of FIG. 6, in an open position of the closure system;

FIG. 8A is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a flexible pouch similar as illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1B;

FIG. 8B is a schematic cross-sectional side view of a flexible pouch before removal of a top portion;

FIG. 8C illustrates a first strip used in the closure system in accordance with a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a measuring utensil provided with a rear slit and wrapped in a bag;

FIGS. 9B and 9D illustrate, respectively, a top view of the handle of a measuring utensil adapted to be stored along a flexible side panel of the pouch;

FIG. 9C is a rear view of the measuring utensil of FIG. 9B, showing the rear slit;

FIG. 10 illustrates a leveling operation, using a contact part that protrudes from a lower face of one of the strips of the closure system;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a flexible pouch in an open configuration, showing a storage position of a measuring utensil;

FIG. 12 illustrates a first strip used in the closure system in accordance with a fifth embodiment;

FIG. 13 schematically illustrates a method to obtain the strips of the closure system in accordance with an embodiment;

FIG. 14 schematically illustrates a first strip used in the closure system in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing a closure system provided with interengaged anchoring elements;

FIG. 16 schematically illustrates a first strip used in the closure system in accordance with another embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a part of a closure system having specific anchoring elements;

FIGS. 18A, 18B, 180, 18D, 18E, 18F are respective sectional views showing different examples for the anchoring elements;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 17, showing a locking tab in a part of a closure system;

FIG. 20 is a detail of FIG. 19, showing a shoulder arrangement suitable for receiving the sliding edge of the locking tab in an open position of the closure system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the various figures, identical reference numerals designate identical or similar elements.

It should be noted that the following detailed description and illustration are directed to flexible pouches that are releasable for containing a variety of products, preferably food products such as dry or powdered beverages, liquid or frozen single-strength beverages, concentrated juices, dry soups, baking mixes, cooking oils, salted snacks, dry and instant cereals, dried fruit, nuts, coffee, tea, spices, milk powder and other food products. Optionally, wet food, medications, tobacco, cold remedies, mouthwash, baking mixes, laundry soaps and softeners, chemicals, other non-edible products could form suitable contents.

As shown in FIGS. 1A-1B and 8A-8B, the pouch 1 is a packing container having a flexible bag B and a closure system 2. The bag B comprises a bottom 3, a front wall 4 and a rear wall 5 defining a flexible sidewall. Here, the front wall 4 and the rear wall 5 are interconnected at two longitudinal junctions 6 a, 6 b extending parallel to a longitudinal axis X of the sidewall. The two longitudinal junctions 6 a, 6 b may correspond to two stiffening welds (permanently sealed sides) of the bag B.

The front wall 4 and the rear wall 5 define an opening 7 opposite to the bottom 3. In some embodiments, the bag B made of flexible material is provided with at least one gusset having an interior edge extending between the respective inner faces of the front wall 4 and the rear wall 5. A mono-web construction may be used to obtain the bag B.

Here, the bottom 3 is defined by a lower wall provided with a fold (so as to typically define a midsection 14 of gusset, here intersected by the longitudinal axis X). Such lower wall may be configured as a seat for the pouch 1. A W-shape can be used to define the bottom 3 as shown in FIGS. 8A-8B. In such non limiting examples, the pouch 1 belongs to the group of the self-standing resealable pouches, so that the pouch 1 is suitable to display optional content information marked on an outer surface of the bag in an upright position. But of course, the bottom 3 may be configured differently and one or more gussets may optionally be provided laterally, preferably at a distance from the opening 7. When two optional gussets are laterally interconnecting the front wall 4 and the rear wall 5, it is understood that such gussets belong to the flexible sidewall and define the two longitudinal junctions 6 a, 6 b. Stiffening welds can be provided to have a sealing between the front wall 4 and the gussets and/or a sealing between the rear wall 5 and the gussets.

In some embodiments, the bag B can be a mono-web construction of a film. But in preferred embodiments, the front wall 4, the rear wall 5 and the bottom 3 are obtained by assembling at least two different parts. Here with reference to FIGS. 1A-1B and 8A-8B, the bag B is obtained by assembling three parts (a lower wall and two flexible sidewall panels P1, P2 that are superimposed over one another and sealed together).

The bag B includes several seal areas 11 a, 11 b, 12 a where the two flexible sidewall panels P1, P2 are sealed together, e.g., heat-sealed. Here, the panels P1 and P2 are sealed together along side peripheral edges to form the longitudinal junctions 6 a, 6 b respectively, and optionally along a top peripheral edge 12 to form top seal 12 a (FIG. 8B). Bottom peripheral edges 3 a and 3 b of sidewall panels P1 and P2, respectively, can also be sealed to one another to form a bottom seal and thereby complete a closed pouch structure. However, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIGS. 8B and 8B, a bottom gusset panel P3 having at least one fold is attached to the inner surface of sidewall panels P1 and P2. These panels P1, P2 here define the flexible front and rear walls 4, 5. The portion of the bottom gusset panel P3 above seal lines is not attached to the inner surface of the sidewall panels P1 and P2 such that midsection 14 of gusset is free and extends up into the interior of the bag B in a pleated fashion.

Alternatively, the bottom gusset panel P3 and the sidewall panels P1 and P2 can be made from the same web of material. The bottom gusset panel P3 can be formed by folding the bottom portion of the continuous web in a “W” section as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,380,646 issued to Doyen et al.

More generally, it is understood that in an open state of the pouch 1, the flexible bag B defines an interior volume V having at least three sides (bottom side, right side and left side) that are sealed, whereby the opening 7 of the bag B opposite to the bottom 3 defines a single opening 7 of the bag B. The interior volume V has here a determined height H measured between the bottom 3 and the single opening 7. The longitudinal junctions 6 a and 6 b may be as long as the determined height H, as illustrated in FIG. 1A.

The film material used to form the bag B can be plastic, such as low, medium or high density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester (PET), polyamide or any other material that is commonly used in the packaging industry, copolymers, or blends thereof. The film material can be a single layer cast or blown film, a multi-layer coextrusion or laminate. The film material can also include one or more layers of paper, metal foil, vacuum deposited metal or inorganic layer of aluminium or silicon oxide and/or a polymer barrier layer, such as ethylene vinyl alcohol or polyvinylidene chloride (or other barrier material). Of course, such materials are non limiting examples.

It is an important aspect of the invention that the material is flexible and capable of allowing a gusset to be formed. If the film is a multi-layer film, it is preferred that at least the inner layer of the bag B is a heat sealable layer.

Now referring to FIGS. 2A-2B and 8A-8B, it can be seen that the closure system 2 comprises two strips 8, 9 that are fixed one each other at the respective junctions 6 a, 6 b. Such strips 8, 9 here define two halves of the closure system 2 and are arranged as a fitment proximate the opening 7. The first strip 8 of the closure system 2 is sealed to the front wall 4, while the second strip 9 is sealed to the rear wall 5. The inner layer of the bag B is thus covered by two strips 8 and 9, which are made of a semi rigid material. The strips 8, 9 are typically sealed in a continuous manner to prevent any leak between the bag B and the strips 8, 9. This is of interest when adding inert gas inside the pouch 1 after filling with the content 13.

Such semi rigid material, typically extruded polymeric material, can be the same for the two strips 8 and 9. The semi rigid material (relatively stiff and resilient, optionally having memory characteristics) can be high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PET, Nylon™, any other polymeric material feasible in the context of the present invention, or any combination thereof. The term “memory” is intended to mean the phenomenon where a material returns to its original, unstressed configuration after having been deformed to a stressed configuration and the deforming force causing the deformation has been removed.

In preferred embodiments, the two opposite ends 8 a-8 b, 9 a-9 b (see FIGS. 2A-2B) of the two strips 8 and 9 are sealed in two areas that belong to or interfere with the longitudinal junctions 6 a, 6 b. Such ends 8 a-8 b, 9 a-9 b thus extend outside the interior volume V and form part of the two longitudinal junctions 6 a, 6 b.

As shown in the FIGS. 1A-1B, 2A-2B, 5, 8A-8C and 11, the two strips 8 and 9 may be provided each with a pull member 16 or 18 that protrudes upwardly from an upper rim. This upper rim surrounds the opening 7 in an open state of the pouch 1. A plane of the opening 7 is defined by such upper rim. Here in the first strip 8, two rectilinear upper rim portions 81, 82, separated by the pull member 16, are provided. In the second strip 9, two rectilinear upper rim portions 91, 92, separated by the pull member 18, are also provided. Such upper rim portions 81, 82, 91, 92 at the upper edges 8 c and 9 c of the strips 8 and 9 define a plane of the opening 7, as apparent in view of FIGS. 1A and 11 in particular.

The pair of opposite pull members 16, 18 are optionally in contact with each other in a first flat configuration of the closure system 2 as shown in FIG. 1B. The pouch 1 assumes a generally flat configuration (especially at a distance from the bottom 3) after it has been formed, filled, and sealed. The pull members 16, 18 are spaced away from the two longitudinal junctions 6 a, 6 b. Here they define central tabs, with similar height or with a difference of height. Alternatively, the pull members 16, 18 can be arranged differently at the upper end of the closure system 2, possibly with a shift and/or a small spacing between the opposite pull members 16, 18.

Preferably as shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, the height H1 of the pull members 16, 18 is substantially the same and can be lower than 15 or 20 mm. The pull members 16, 18 are rigidly coupled to the main flexible parts 28, 29 of the strips 8 and 9. With such arrangement, fingers of the user are well positioned, very close to the plane of the opening 7, and it prevents the pull members 16, 18 to be flexed. It is understood that appropriate pressure (outwardly for actuating the opening and inwardly for actuating the closure) is exerted without too significant effort for the user.

Referring to FIGS. 8A-8B, the pouch 1 is optionally provided with a top peripheral edge 12 and, before a cutting or tearing or peeling action to remove such top part of the pouch 1, the content of the pouch 1 cannot be poured or retrieved through the single opening 7. In other words, the content 13 (powdered milk or other granular or powdery product for example) is perfectly preserved in the pouch 1 until used for the first time when the top peripheral edge 12 is removed, optionally with the aid of one or more peeling-off tongues, tearing tongues, weakened areas or the like. Here, as simple cut along the dash line (a rectilinear dash line in this non limiting example as shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C) is sufficient to provide access to the content because the closure system 2 is not in the first flat configuration. Preferably, the upper level 19 of the content 13 extends below the closure system 2.

Of course the dash line could also be non rectilinear. For instance, the top peripheral edge 12 could be removed without flexible material remaining at the left and right sides of the corresponding pull member 16 or 18.

The top portion 120 of the pouch 1 is preferably provided with a line of weakness 12 b (at the dash line) that extends laterally across both walls 4 and 5 in close proximity to but below the top peripheral 12 a and above the strips 8, 9, described below. The line of weakness 12 b may be formed by, for example, perforating or scoring the front wall 4 and the rear wall 5 with a laser or knife either individually before these walls 4 and 5 are sealed together, or collectively after they have been sealed together. One or both ends of line of weakness 12 b preferably terminate with a notch 12 c (see FIG. 8C), which provides a stress concentration and aids in starting a tear along the line of weakness 12 b when the pouch 1 is opened by a consumer.

More generally, any binding means that define a tight seal at the top peripheral edge 12 can be provided to have the resealable closure system 2 protected before the first use. Here pull members 16 and 18 are covered by the binding means. But alternatively, the pull members could extend externally with respect to the film material or foils 21, 22 defining the bag material. In such case, the pull members (not shown) protrude radially outwards from a part of the bag B in the upper end of the pouch 1, so that such part of the bag B is sandwiched between a strip 8 or 9 and the corresponding pull member.

After the first use, as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 8A and 11, the closure system 2 is in a second configuration, with the front wall 4 and the rear wall 5 widely spaced thanks to a hold open arrangement defined by the two strips 8 and 9.

More precisely, one of the strips 8 and 9 sealed to the bag B, here the first strip 8, is provided with:

a first predetermined flexing line 25 a adjacent to one of the two junctions 6 a and not defined at one end 8 a (corresponding end used to define the junction 6 a) of the strip 8,

a second predetermined flexing line 25 b adjacent to the other of the two junctions 6 b and not defined at the other end 8 b (corresponding end to define the junction 6 b) of the strip 8,

a main flexible part 28 (see FIGS. 3-4 in particular) extending between a first end 28 a, here partly delimited by the first predetermined flexing line 25 a, and a second end 28 b which is here partly delimited by the second predetermined flexing line 25 b,

opposite pivot portions 31 and 32, including a first pivot portion 31 interconnecting the first end 28 a to the end 8 a and a second pivot portion 32 interconnecting the second end 28 b to the end 8 b.

Two opposite pivot portions 31 and 32 are preferably provided in the same strip 8 near the opposite ends 8 a and 8 b, in order to provide a spacing between the main flexible part 28 and the junctions 6 a, 6 b that are typically more rigid. In the firsty strip 8, the main flexible part 28 thus can be hingedly connected at the first and second flexing lines 25 a and 25 b to the pivot portions 31, 32 that are not attached to the second strip 9 (such pivot portions thus being distinct from any one of the two junctions 6 a, 6 b). As shown in FIG. 11, the thickness at the junctions 6 a-6 b can be about twice the thickness (here a constant thickness e1 as shown in FIG. 3) defined in the main flexible part 28 and in the ends 8 a, 8 b.

In the first strip 8 and optionally in the second strip 9, the flexing lines 25 a, 25 b extend longitudinally and are obtained by locally reducing the thickness. As shown in FIG. 2A, the distance d between the flexing lines 25 a, 25 b and the junctions 6 a, 6 b is reduced and is typically inferior or equal to 10 mm, preferably comprised between 2 mm and 5 or 6 mm. Referring to FIG. 3, the determined thickness e2 of the semi rigid material is for example equal or less than 50 percent of a material thickness e1 of the main flexible part 28. This determined material thickness e2 is preferably defined by respective outer slots 35, 36, 37, 38 that longitudinally extend from the upper edge 8 c or 9 c of the strip 8 or 9 to the lower edge 8 d or 9 d. The same thickness profile can optionnaly be provided in the second strip 9.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 4 and 11, the first end 28 a and the second end 28 b of the flexible part 28 can be each provided with a locking tab 41, 42, so as to define the locking means of the hold open arrangement. While the first strip 8 is here described as having two locking tabs 41, 42, other arrangements can be provided, for instance with only one protruding locking element provided in the first strip 8 and/or one or more optional protruding locking elements formed in the second strip 9.

Respective hinge connections, here spaced hinge connections 44 a-44 b and 45 a-45 b, are provided where the material thickness is locally reduced. The position of the first predetermined flexing line 25 a corresponds to the alignment position of the pair of hinge connections 44 a and 44 b. The locking tab 41 is delimited by a cut and hinged at a base 41 a thereof. An opposite locking tab 42 is also delimited by a cut and hinged at a base 42 a thereof, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 5. It is understood that the base 41 a or 42 a of each of the locking tabs 41, 42 here extends between two hinge connections 44 a-44 b, 45 a-45 b. With such arrangement, the locking tabs 41, 42 are configured to pivot between a flat configuration (when the strips 8, 9 of the closure system 2 are fastened one to each other) and a second configuration that is a bent, flexed or engaged configuration (when the strips 8, 9 are bent as shown in FIGS. 1A, 4 and 11).

Each locking tab 41, 42 may have an length (measured between the base 41 a, 42 a and the outer sliding edge) of about 2 mm. More generally it is preferred that such length be superior to the nominal thickness el of the first strip 8 but not superior to a threshold where the tab 41, 42 is significantly bent from the base 41 a, 42 a. Preferably, such length does not exceed three times the nominal thickness e1 of the first strip 8.

It should be noted that the interlocking area 10, in the first flat configuration of the closure system 2, is elongated along a virtual axis Y that intersects the upper hinge connections 44 a and 45 a, and which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X.

FIG. 6 illustrates that the hinge connections 44 a-44 b and 45 a-45 b can be defined by a simple cutting operation performed after having the anchoring elements 51 formed on the inner face of the first strip 8. Similar operation can be performed to obtain the second strip 9 but only the slots 37, 38 can be defined as two locking elements on the first strip 8 may be considered as sufficient. In a variant, each of the strips 8, 9 is provided with one or more locking elements such as locking tabs 41, 42.

Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that one or more of the slots can be defined as inner slots. It is also understood that the hinge connections 44 a-44 b and 45 a-45 b can be optionally shifted with respect to the base 41 a, 42 a of the locking tabs 41, 42, as shown in FIGS. 6-7. This can be advantageous to have a longer locking tab 41, 42, 141, 142 without increasing the distance d between the flexing lines 25 a, 25 b and the junctions 6 a, 6 b. Such space can be as low as 5 mm or less for the first strip 8. A corresponding distance can be identical in the second strip 9 when provided with similar flexing lines.

Now referring to FIG. 4, it can be seen that the locking tabs 41, 42 are flexed when the strips 8, 9 are widened. The actuation at the pull members 16, 18 (when gripped and pull away one from each other) causes the main flexible parts 28, 29 to be conformed according to an annular shape. Since the junctions 6 a, 6 b are sufficiently rigid and the adjacent pivot portions 31, 32 are very short when viewed in a transverse plane, such pivot portions 31, 32 are not significantly flexed (they still have a substantially flat aspect).

At the respective flexing lines 25 a, 25 b, the ends 28 a and 28 b of the main flexible part 28 are thus in an angled configuration as compared to the junctions 6 a, 6 b. Because of such angle, the respective locking tabs 41, 42 are orientated away form the adjacent junction 6 a or 6 b and abut against respective contact surface CS1, CS2 of the second strip 9. The contact surfaces CS1 and CS2 may be each adjacent to one of the two junctions 6 a, 6 b. When slots 37, 38 are provided to delimit the main flexible part 29 of the second strip 9, it is understood that such contact surfaces CS1 and CS2 extend at opposite ends 29 a, 29 b of the main flexible part 29. As well illustrated in FIG. 4, the optional slots 37, 38 are advantageous to define predetermined flexing lines in the second strip 9 that are exactly facing the flexing lines 25 a, 25 b, so that pivot portions 31′, 32′ are also present in the second strip 9.

More generally, it is understood that any locking element arranged proximate the pivot portions 31, 32 can be retained by such kind of contact surface CS1, CS2 when the closure system 2 is in a second flexed or bent configuration, as illustrated in FIG. 4.

This open configuration corresponds to a predetermined configuration because of the hold open arrangement, which is here defined by the strips 8, 9 (only two pieces of plastic material is the advantageous depicted embodiments). Indeed, with locking elements such as the locking tabs 41, 42, a bistable pull-snap hold open arrangement is defined by the strips 8 and 9. As the strips 8, 9 extend as far as ends 8 a-8 b and 9 a-9 b inserted in the junctions 6 a, 6 b and are used to define the closure system 2, such hold open arrangement is robust.

In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the pouch 1 comprises at least one locking element or similar locking means. As used herein, the term “locking,” and derivative terms thereof, refers to a structure that can be held in place by friction, adhesion or other forces feasible in the context of the present invention. The term “locking” and derivative terms thereof may also refer to the engagement of a structure comprising more than one semi-rigid locking tab 41, 42, 141, 142 (see FIG. 5 for instance) or similar elements.

To open the pouch 1 as shown in FIG. 11, anchoring elements 51, 52 of the closure system 2 have to be disengaged. This is performed by simply grasping the upper portion of opposing walls 4, 5 and/or the optional pull members 16, 18 and pressure manually given to separate the anchoring elements 51, 52 is sufficient to have the strips 8, 9 sufficiently bent (beyond an angle threshold).

When angle between the main flexible part 28 and one or more of the pivot portions 31, 32 reaches a predetermined threshold, at least one of the ends 28 a, 28 b (preferably the two ends 28 a, 28 b) reaches a lock position, maintaining an open configuration. Closing the mechanism only requires a slight pressure, typically by exerting thumb or finger pression against the pull members 16, 18 or other parts of the strips 8, 9 that define the closure system 2. Memory characteristics of the strip material are preferred to facilitate reclosing in a tight manner.

Of course, the locking elements that here protrude and are configured as locking tabs 41, 42 are rigidly coupled to the respective first end 28 a and the second end 28 b and configured to pivot from a first flat configuration obtained when the closure system 2 is in the closed configuration to a second configuration, which is a bent, flexed, or engaged configuration.

The locking tabs 41, 42 can be provided with a sliding edge 49 generally parallel with that of the pivot portions 31, 32, which engages the corresponding contact surface CS1 or CS2 of the second strip 9. Because of the engagement by the locking tabs 41, 42 and since the first strip 8 having the locking tabs 41, 42 and the second strip 9 are made of a semi rigid material, the main flexible part 28 is held (here in a bent configuration) in a separated orientation relative to that of the second strip 9.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 4 and 8A, it is understood that the complementary anchoring elements 51, 52 used to define the interlocking area 10 remain widened because of the specific orientation of the main flexible part 28. Additionally, the contact between the locking tabs 41, 42 and the corresponding contact surfaces CS1, CS2 can cause the second strip 29 to be similarly bent. For this purpose, slots 37, 38 (FIG. 4) are optionally provided proximate corresponding pivot portions 31′, 32′ of the second strip 9.

As well apparent in view of FIGS. 2A-2B and 3-4, each of the main flexible parts 28 and 29 is adapted to be easily bent due to a reduction in height at least in intermediate strip areas that extend between a central area provided with gripping means (pull members 16, 18) and the respective ends 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b. The minimal height in such intermediate strip areas defines the minimal height of the main flexible parts 28, 29. Such minimal height is inferior to 20 mm for instance in a preferred option.

Each strip 8, 9 is fixedly secured to the bag material in elongated areas parallel to the upper rim portions 81, 82, 91, 92. Such elongated areas may have a height inferior or equal to the minimal height of the main flexible parts 28, 29. Accordingly, the respective pivot portions 31, 32 of the strips 8, 9 are not attached to the bag material since they extend below the elongated areas for securing the strip 8 to the bag material. Advantageously with such arrangement, there is no interference between:

-   -   expansion of the bag material near the opening 7 when pulling         the pull members 16, 18 to open the gusset pouch 1 on the one         hand, and     -   relative movement between the tabs 41, 42 and the surrounding         areas (including the pivot portions 31, 32) around the tabs 41,         42, on the other hand,         so that the tabs 41, 42 can pivot and be easily (and repeatably)         displaced locally away from the bag material, every time the         closure system 2 is open.

The pivot portions 31′, 32′ of the second strip 9 are also preferably not attached to the bag material for similar reasons. Especially, it is to be underlined that the respective outer slots 35, 36, 37, 38 may play efficient role for the locking effect, as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 in particular in the first flat configuration of the closure system 2 as shown in FIG. 1B, it is understood that the inner mating surfaces of the strips 8, 9 can be substantially in a same longitudinal virtual plane defined by the two opposite junctions 6 a, 6 b. In contrast in the second configuration, such mating surfaces are generally between about 90 degrees and 180 degrees of separation relative to one another.

In the first flat configuration, a sealing contact is continuously defined by the anchoring elements 51, 52. As the two strips 8, 9 cooperate to allow the bag B to be opened and sealed repeatedly, it is understood that the reclose feature is performed by anchoring elements 51, 52 that are not made of brittle material. The reclose feature may correspond to a zipper type feature. As used herein, the expression zipper type feature includes press-to-close zippers.

In some constructions, slide-style zippers can be used, preferably with the strips 8, 9 directly forming parts of such zipper. Numerous other types of reclose features, especially a Velcro® type feature as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8B, could be used to form the anchoring elements 51, 52.

Such anchoring elements 51, 52 may include male and female securement means, for instance male members in the first strip 8 and female members in the second strip 9 or vice versa. In a first embodiment (FIGS. 2A-2B and 3) and in a second embodiment (FIG. 5), such sealing contact is obtained by continuous mating surfaces provided in the anchoring elements 51, 52 and in the pivot portions 31, 32, while the ends 8 a, 8 b are deprived from such anchoring elements 51, 52. Accordingly, the longitudinal sealing between the ends 8 a and 8 b does not interfere with the interlocking area 10.

The strip 108 of the second embodiment essentially differs from the strip 8 of the first embodiment in that additional locking tabs 141 and 142 are provided, as shown in FIG. 5. Three hinge connections may be provided to define the flexing lines 25 a, 25 b. It can be seen that the two upper locking tabs 41 and 42 are cut and oriented according to opposite directions in the first flat configuration. Similarly, the two lower locking tabs 141 and 142 are cut and oriented according to opposite directions in the first flat configuration.

In a third embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, the closure system 2 can be provided with pivot portions 31, 32 that are not containing any anchoring elements 51, 52 so that the interlocking area 10 is shorter than the distance L6 measured between the junctions 6 a, 6 b in the closed configuration of the closure system 2. Indeed, the interlocking area 10 is only provided in the main flexible part 28. As the pivot portions 31, 32, 37, 38 can be short portions which are not oriented substantially differently in the second open configuration, the closure system 2 is still efficient to seal access to the content 13. In particular, the strips 8, 9 are sufficiently fastened in the first flat configuration to prevent insect from passing in the interior volume V.

For having a good barrier effect (against humidity in particular), first and second embodiments are preferred. In a fourth embodiment as shown in FIG. 80 in particular, the anchoring elements 51 (here under form of a band) extend over the whole width or almost such width of the pouch 1. For instance, the end 8 b of the strip 308 (which is sealed to the end 9 a of the strip 9) also comprises a margin part of the anchoring elements 51. Such configuration is efficient to have a good barrier effect when the closure system 2 has been manually closed by the user. Such arrangement for the anchoring elements 51, 52 can be used, of course, in the other depicted embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 12, a fifth embodiment is shown with a first strip 408 very similar to the strip 108 of the second embodiment, but with anchoring elements 51 that extend between upper locking tabs 41, 42 and lower locking tabs 141, 142. Such embodiment is of interest to have a robust hold open arrangement and provide more space above the interlocking area 10 for the fingers when grasping the pull members 16, 18. Of course, the second strip (not shown) is provided with corresponding anchoring elements 52 and with two flexible parts (one above the interlocking area 10 and the other below the interlocking area 10) to form the opposite contact surfaces engaged by the locking tabs.

It is understood that strips 8, 9 having one or more intermediate sections of lower height as compared to the height at the ends 8 a-8 b, 9 a-9 b can be preferred. As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, 5 and 11, amount of plastic can be saved, while having robust junctions at the ends 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b since height is greater. In such preferred embodiments, for at least one of the strips 8 and 9, there is an increase of height (here measured from the rectilinear rim portions 81, 82, 91, 92 of the upper edge 8 c or 9 c) with increased space from the pull member 16 or 18.

It is also understood that the main flexible parts 28, 29 can flex more easily when having a reduced height, for instance as low as 6 mm or less (minimum of height, at a distance from the ends 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b). It should also be noted that the anchoring elements 51, 52 may act as stiffening elements of the corresponding strip 8 or 9.

The anchoring elements 51, 52 may be either integrally formed with strips 8, 9 (using the same plastic material) or coextruded with the strips 8, 9 or overmoulded. When not using the same material, the anchoring elements 51, 52 are for example made of a flexible material having a lower modulus than that of the strip material used to define the flexible parts 28, 29, the pivot portions 31, 32, 31′, 32′ and the ends 8 a-8 b, 9 a-9 b.

In the closed state of the closure system 2, as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 16, the locking tabs 41, 42 planarly extend in the first strip 8 but are free to pivot indepently with respect to the front wall 4. Here in a preferred embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 15, the first strip 8 comprises a first outer surface s1 continuously sealed to the front wall 4 and at least one second outer surface s2 not sealed to the front wall 4 (see also FIG. 8A). Such second outer surface s2 is provided with the locking means (here defined by the locking tabs 41, 42). The locking tabs 41, 42 are thus proximal (but not immediately adjacent, in preferred options) to the part of the strip 8 adhered to the front wall 4 and can simultaneously:

precisely follow general movement of the first strip 8 when handled by the user; and

pivot around the respective flexing lines 25 a and 25 b in a wide open configuration, as the locking tabs 41, 42 are not retained by the front wall 4 of the bag B.

While each locking tab 41, 42, 141, 142 has been illustrated as flush with the inner surface of the strip 8, 108, 208, 308, the closure system 2 may be provided with at least one tab 41, 42 having an excess in thickness E4 in the closed configuration of the closure system 2, as in embodiments of FIGS. 19-20. Due to this excess E4, the locking tab 42 defines a bulged part BP protruding externally relative to the outer face of the corresponding strip 8. Typically, the same applies for the locking tab 41.

Additionally or alternatively, one tab 42 of the strip 8 may engage in a recess 39 of the strip 9 when the closure system 2 is in the open configuration. Typically a shoulder 39 a (FIG. 20) defines a receiving surface for the sliding edge of the locking tab 42 when the strips 8, 9 are bent (as in FIGS. 1A and 4). Here, the bulged part BP of the locking tab 42 is higher than wide and the shoulder 39 a has same height than this part of the tab 42, which is of interest to have a sufficient length of contact between the shoulder 39 a and the locking tab 42.

Cuts 48 a and 48 b, which extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the strips 8, 9, delimit an upper end and a lower end of the locking tab 42. Such cuts 48 a, 48 b may be longer than width of the bulged part BP. As a result, the flexing line 25 b extends at a distance from the part having the excess in thickness E4. This is advantageous to keep flexibility along the flexing line 25 b at the base 42 a. The foil 21 of the bag B (as shown in FIG. 11) is in contact with the bulged part BP in a non adhering area of the foil 21, thus not interfering with the bending of the tab 42 when the strip 8 is bent. The bag foil 21 is firmly attached to the strip 8 at least above the tab 42 and in the side junction 6 a.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 19-20, the strips 8, 9 may be obtained by injection for example. More generally, the bulged or thickened area is of interest to increase the tension and angle in the open configuration of the closure system 2. Of course, such configuration with the bulged or thickened area may optionally apply to define all or part of the tabs in the strips 108, 208, 308 shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8C.

In FIG. 19, the closure system 2 may be provided with any kind of anchoring elements 51, 52, preferably with elongated anchoring elements 51, 52 extending entirely above the lockings tabs.

In preferred embodiments, each tab 41, 42, 141, 142 is hinged at a base 41 a, 42 a, 141 a, 142 a that defines a determined height h2 less than half the height H8 of the strip 8, 9 at the corresponding flexing line 25 a, 25 b. The following relation may be satisfied: h2/H8≤2/5. The determined height h2 may be superior or equal to 4 or 5 mm. When a shoulder 39 a is provided for engagement by the the tab 42, such shoulder 39 a is defined at a distance from the lower edge 8 d and may have same height (height h2) as the base 42 a of the tab 42.

Apart areas where the strips 8, 9 are punched to define the slots 35, 36, 37, 38, it can be seen that the thickness el of each strip 8, 9 is relatively high, for example superior or equal to 1 mm. Due to semi rigid material used to define the strips 8, 9, the anchoring elements 51, 52 are typically elongated and sufficiently flexible.

Referring to FIG. 16, the number of anchoring elements 51, 52 in one strip 8 may be greater (here four elements 51) than the number of anchoring elements 52 (here three elements 52) in the other strip 9. Here, the anchoring elements 51, 52 are defined by mushroom-shaped stems on each inner face of the strips 8, 9. Such mushroom-shaped stems may provide an efficient snap (possibly an audible snap) when the two inner faces mate. The engagement is performed at a thin outer edge of the respective heads 54 of the mushroom-shaped stems 53. The overlapping distance D1 between opposite heads 54 may of about 1 mm only, in order to make separation of the strips 8, 9 easier.

More generally, it is of interest to have a low ratio D1:e1, for example inferior or equal to 1:5. This provides a very good compromise between the need for rigidity at the locking elements 41, 42 and the need for flexibility at the interlocking area. The rod-like parts 53 of the anchoring elements 51, 52 extend parallel and have a same length D3, which may be superior to the size D2 of the heads 54 (the size D2 being measured in same direction as longitudinal extension of the rod-like parts). The spacing D4 between the strips 8, 9 in the region adjacent to the anchoring elements 51, 52 may be equal to the nominal thickness e1, and is here of about 1 mm for instance. Of course, other shapes may be used for the anchoring elements 51, 52, in complement or in replacement of the illustrated shapes. In some examples, tips may be used to replace some of the mushroom-shaped stems.

Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18A-18F, it can be seen options where the fitment defined by the strips 8, 9 is obtained by injection. It is understood that the shape of the anchoring elements 51, 52 may vary. In all options, the anchoring elements 51, 52 extend at a distance from the tabs 41, 42 that are provided respectively in the first end 28 a and the second end 28 b.

The method of manufacturing the pouch 1 may proceed, inter alia, in the following manner. The walls of the bag B, here defined by two opposite panels P1 and P2 and the optional gusset wall P3 (see FIGS. 8A-8B) are produced each in a conventional manner. The flexible material of the bag B can include plastic and is preferably a multilayer compound forming a very effective oxygen barrier when the product is powdered milk, for example. However, it may, of course, be a bag B produced from another material, in particular metal or composite material (one or more multilayer boards could also form at least some parts of the bag B).

Referring to FIG. 13, the first strip 8, 108, 208, 308, 408 and the second strip 9 may be separately produced from a polyolefine material, preferably PP, using an extrusion apparatus 60 and a forming roller 62. A barrel or similar section of the extrusion apparatus 60 melts and forces the molten plastic 20 through a die 61 into the nip 64. More precisely, the molten plastic 20 (also called molten resin) is continuously introduced to a gap formed along a peripheral surface of the rotating forming roller 62, such that the plastic forms at least a part of the strip-form base of the strip 8, 108, 208, 308, 408 or 9 at the peripheral forming roller surface and fills an array of fixed cavities defined in the rotating roller 62 to form portions of the fastener/anchoring elements 51, 52 as projections extending from a side of the sheet-form base. Here, the continuous band of molten plastic 20 may be as narrow as one strip 8 or 9 and the anchoring elements 51 can be formed as shown at the top of FIG. 6, before a cutting step. The cavities in the roller 62 are typically shaped to form anchoring elements 51 adapted to engage loops. When the anchoring elements 51, 52 form a zipper closure, the cavities may be replaced by one or more grooves having the complementary profile (constant profile) with respect to the desired shape for the anchoring elements 51, 52.

A base roller 63 is used in a conventional manner to have sufficient pressure when molding the anchoring elements 51 or 52. Such configuration is particularly suitable to define hook-like anchoring elements 51 in the first strip 8. The second strip 9 provided with the loops or similar anchoring element 52 can be obtained in a conventional manner, and may optionally combine two layers of material (a base layer and a layer for forming the loops). Optionally, the loops are not necessarily totally closed loops and can be arranged as female hooks having a pronounced curvature, which are more flexible that the male hooks.

More generally, it is understood that the anchoring elements 51, 52 can be provided with a great multiplicity of fastener members (for example hooks and loops) or with continuous fastener members (for example press-to-close zippers or the like).

The strips 8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 9 provided with the anchoring elements 51, 52, after passing the nip 61, may travel around the periphery of the roller 62 and optionally around a stripping roller 67 which assists in pulling the strip 8 or 9 and extracting each relief from the corresponding cavity of the roller 62, and thence to a windup device, not shown.

At least for the first strip 8, 108, 208, 308, 408, a cutting step is performed by cutting means 65, 66, here downstream with respect to the roller 67. Indeed, the section S8 of the continuous band, obtained just after operation by the roller 62, has to be cut, in order to have:

the locking tabs 41, 42, 141, 142 or similar locking means;

the slots 35, 35, 37, 38;

optionally a specific profile at the upper edge 8 c, 9 c, preferably with a pull member 16 or 18 at a midsection;

optionally a specific profile at the lower edge 8 d , 9 d, preferably with removal of plastic material at a distance from the ends 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b of the strips 8, 9, a holding part 55 for a measuring utensil 100 and/or a free edge 56 of a leveling element being also optionally defined.

The cutting means may comprise one or more modules 65, 66. Here, the locking means are precut and obtained using longitudinal cuts and transverse cuts. The cutting means are thus adapted to perform cuts at short distance from the strip ends 8 a, 8 b such a shown in the non-limiting example of FIG. 6. One ore more locking tabs 41, 42, 141, 142 or similar locking elements are formed in the strip material and are able to form protrusions in the second configuration. Some parts, instead of being cut (using a cut module to define slots 35, 36, 37, 38), can be weakened by any suitable means (for example, by forming recesses when forming the anchoring elements 51, 52).

The first strip 8, 108, 208, 308, 408 and the second strip 9 are each cut from a continuous extruded band and the same polyolefin material is preferably used to define the closure system 2.

At least one of the strips 8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 9 may optionnaly be obtained by combining more than one layer of extruded plastic material. For instance, a sheet-form base may serve as support for an outer layer provided with the anchoring elements 51, 52. Of course, if an outer layer is supplied, such outer layer become permanently bonded to the molten plastic of the base layer and become part (when solidifying the resin) of the strip-form base of the strip 8, 108, 208, 308, 408 or 9 so that one cannot distinguish the two layers on the final strip.

After a cooling step, it is understood that the semi rigid plastic material of the continuous band has memory features and is typically stiff, for instance as stiff as Nylon® and in a plastic material less brittle as Nylon® (preferably with an elastic modulus superior to 1 GPa). Polypropylene, Polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE) and similar materials (including PEF) may be used because the living hinges defined at the flexing lines 25 a, 25 b, are stronger and the locking tabs 41, 42, 141, 142 are stiff enough.

The strips 8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 9 having the anchoring elements 51, 52 are retrieved, preferably after a final cut (not shown) to define a length of the strip 8, 108, 208, 308, 408 or 9. These strips 8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 9 are then each bonded to either the inner face of the front wall 4, or the inner face of the rear wall 5.

Of course, the first strip 8, 108, 208, 308, 408 and the second strip 9 of a same closure system 2 may be obtained simultaneously from a same sheet of plastic material (with a longitudinal junction intersected by a virtual median transverse plane of the sheet). In such case, a folding step may advantageously be performed to obtain a closed configuration of the closure system 2. Then a longitudinal cut is performed to separate, at a lower edge defined by the longitudinal junction, the first strip 8, 108, 208, 308, 408 and the second strip 9. A slot may be initially provided at the junction when extruding the two adjacent strips. This facilitates the folding operation toward the closed configuration of the closure system 2 before attachment to the bag B.

FIGS. 8C and 12 show typical position of the first strip 308, 408, with the ends (here only the end 8 b is shown) interfering with a margin bonding area 30 of the front wall 4. Such margin bonding area 30 is used to define the junction 6 b (operating bonding area during the fastening between the front wall 4 and the rear wall 5). Preferably, each end 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b of the strips 8, 108, 208, 308, 408, 9 can be placed in such manner, in order to have these strips partly inserted in the junctions 6 a, 6 b.

The junctions 6 a, 6 b (which can extend between the bottom 3 and the top peripheral edge 12 or other suitable end beyond the opening 7) and at least one lower seal are obtained in a a first sealing step before a filling step. In some constructions, the bottom peripheral edges 3 a and 3 b extend transversally to the longitudinal junctions 6 a, 6 b and two lower corner portions CP1, CP2 are defined at intersection between the junctions 6 a, 6 b and the edges 3 a , 3 b, respectively. The top seal 12 a at the top portion 120 is defined in a second sealing step after the filling step for filling the interior volume V with the content 13.

In some embodiments an additional box, typically more rigid than the bag B, can be provided to house one or more pouches 1. While the embodiments depicted in the figures show rectangular margin bonding areas 30, it is understood that other shapes can be used, depending of the kind of pouch 1 to be produced. Additionally, some steps such as one ore more cutting steps could be performed at earlier or later stage. The hinge connections 44 a, 44 b, 45 a, 45 b thus are not necessarily formed by a slitting operation performed after molding (or similar forming) of the anchoring elements 51, 52.

In some constructions, the hinge connections 44 a, 44 b, 45 a, 45 b can be formed by die cutting, or directly in an injection molding process, or laser engraving, among other possible techniques. In some constructions, the hinge connections 44 a, 44 b, 45 a, 45 b can have a material thickness that is 10 percent or less of a material thickness of the adjacent locking tab 41, 42 and the adjacent pivot portion 31, 32. The material thickness of the hinge connections 44 a, 44 b, 45 a, 45 b can be between about 0.2 mm and about 0.5 mm in some constructions.

In some constructions, the hinge connections 44 a, 44 b, 45 a, 45 b are provided by a separate material and/or multi-piece hinge mechanism coupled between the main flexible part 28 or 29 and each locking tab 41, 42, 141, 142. However, the hinge connections 44 a, 44 b, 45 a, 45 b may be provided as any portion that enables folding, bending, or pivoting. For example, the hinge connections 44 a, 44 b, 45 a, 45 b may be provided by only a fold or crease in the material.

A closure system 2 suitable to be used as a fitment in a pouch 1 will be now described, referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, 5, 8C, 9A-9C and 10-11, 14, such closure system having two strips and a tongue-like contact part 55, 55′ interacting with a measuring utensil 100.

The closure system 2 can have all the features that have been described above. However, the hold open arrangement and/or the specific way of implementing the interlocking area 10 are considered as options. For sake of conciseness and simplicity, additional description of the bag B will be not provided since the walls of the bag B can be typically as in the preceding part of the description. But the way the closure system 2 is connected to the upper end of the bag B is no way limited to the preceding examples when considering the following part of the description.

With regard to the measuring utensil 100 as illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 11, this is similar to a spoon in the embodiment shown, that is to say it has a cup 101 which defines a fixed measuring volume and is, in such option, substantially cylindrical up to the open side of this cup 101. A handle 102 extends from the cup 101 to a free end 102 a. The measuring device 100 thus has an elongate form and is made of plastic material or equivalent material. The measuring utensil 100 is a measuring device of predetermined form, preferably designed to be sold with the whole pouch 1 and the fixed measuring volume of which is specific to the content 13 in question, here a food product.

When sold with the pouch 1, the measuring utensil may be initially wrapped in a bas shown in FIG. 9a , inside the interior volume V or in a separated houding defined by the top portion 120 or in a bag fastened onto an outer surface of the bag B.

Using a predetermined measuring utensil 100 enables a coupling free edge 56 of a contact part 55 integrally formed with one of the strips 8 and 9 to be configured such that it engages tightly with a corresponding portion, here a rear slit 103 and/or the annular rim 14 of the cup 101, of the measuring utensil 100 that has a known and precise geometry.

Now referring to FIGS. 2A-2B and 11, it can be seen that each of the strip 8, 9 that are actuated to close the opening 7, directly or indirectly, can be be provided with a tongue-like (but other shapes can be used) contact part 55 for interacting with a measuring utensil 100. The contact part 55 is arranged entirely below the interlocking area 10 and defines a leveling element not directly fastened to the inner face of the bag B. Here in FIG. 11, it can be seen that the contact part 55 may be provided with a recess or a central hole 50. Two arm portions 40 a, 40 b extend downwardly from a base portion 55 a proximal with respect to the interlocking area 10 to an insert portion 55 b provided with the rectilinear free edge 56. The insert portion 55 b is configured to slide inside the rear slit 103 and, because of a clamping effect at the handle 102, the measuring utensil 100 is retained by the contact part 55.

Since the contact part 55 is defined as a lower extension protruding downwardly, the movement to connect the handle 102 is thus a short upward movement. The contact part 55 is made of strip material, typically as thin as the first strip 8,108, 208, 308, 408 and the second strip 9. Each of the opposite faces defined by the contact part 55 may be deprived from any relief. Accordingly, no powder can accumulate on such faces, which is of interest for having a correct connection of the insert portion 55 b through the slit 103. Optionally some projections may be formed on one of the opposite faces, for example for guiding movement of the handle 102 during insertion of the insert portion 55 b. Such optional projections may be distributed around the contact area between the handle 102 and the insert portion 55 b.

Referring to FIGS. 9B-9C, the rear slit 103 may be defined between a main portion of the handle 102 and at least one clamping member 106, 107 that longitudinally extends between a connection part 106 a, 107 a and a free end 106 b, 107 b. The slit 103 is here not laterally delimited by left and right walls, in order to facilitate insertion of the insert portion 55 b. The contact part 55 may be a protruding contact part that is connected to the edge 8 d or 9 d of the corresponding strip 8; 9. An interspace is defined between the inner face of the bag B and the contact part 55 so that a leveling can be performed by use of the free edge 56.

Regarding the rear slit 103, the term “rear” should not be interpreted in a strict manner (not necessarily having a rear orientation in the measuring utensil 100). It simply means that the slit 103 is arranged at or close the free end 102 of the measuring utensil 100. In a preferred embodiment as shown in FIG. 9D, the measuring utensil 100 can be of simple construction with the slit 103 opening forwardly and with a slit access provided on the same side as the open side of the cup 101. Such configuration can be obtained with a single longitudinal cut, substantially as wide or almost as wide as the handle 102. A clip element 110, here defined by a single elastic tongue, is defined because of the cut (but the cut may be significantly shorter than the clip element 110 to improve strength of the connection of the clip element 10). With such kind of rear slit 103, the hole 50 is required to define a passage for the clip element 110, when engaging the contact part 55 in the rear slit 103.

The clip element 110 may have a structure similar to a clip of pen cap and the insert portion 55 b of the contact portion 55 may be engaged into the slot 103 by a consumer without placing fingers below the contact portion 55. Indeed, only the free end 102 a will be touched by the consumer when storing the measuring utensil 100.

As shown in FIG. 10, leveling is performed by sliding the open side of the cup 101 of the measuring utensil 100 against the rectilinear free edge 56, thereby obtaining a volume of product in the measuring utensil 100 which corresponds very precisely to the volume of the cup 101. For this purpose, length of the rectilinear portion of the free edge 56 is at least equal to the open side of the cup 101. Else, if there were no rectilinear portion, for example if there were a concave free edge, the powder would not be leveled off correctly at the top of the open side, and what is worse, in the case of a convex free edge, the locally protruding rim thereof could catch on the cup 101 and cause powder to tip out. On the other hand, it is necessary for the free edge 56 to be sufficiently spaced from the bag sidewall of the bag B so that the user is not obliged to incline the measuring device 100 almost vertically which could cause some of the product to fall out and thereby lead to a mismeasurement. The interspace is here obtained because the material BM of the bag B is flexible and cannot stop the cup 101 when leveling is performed. The flexure of the bag B allows an angle 0 to be locally formed behind the contact part 55, and the free edge 56 can thus be radially spaced with respect to the material BM of the bag B, while the base portion 55 a remains along this sheet material BM. When the contact part 55 defines a leveling element, it is understood that it can be configured as a tongue that cannot flex significantly, and typically that cannot be folded (without cracks or rupture). In the non-limiting depicted embodiments, because of memory effect of the semi rigid material forming the strip 8 or 9 provided with the contact part 55, the contact part can extend parallel to a plane defined by the interlocking area 10 in the closed configuration of the closure system 2, even after several leveling operations and repeated closures of the pouch 1.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, it can be seen that extension L5 of the protruding contact part 55 is lower than height of the ends 8 a, 8 b, 9 a, 9 b of the strips. Such small extension, for example less than 20 mm and preferably less than 15 mm, is advantageous to perform the leveling sufficiently above the upper level 19 of the content 13 while having a pouch 1 sufficiently filled with the product.

Here, the contact part 55 defines a leveling element and an insertion edge for retaining the free end 102 a of the handle 102. As shown in FIG. 11, the measuring utensil 100 is of shorter length than the determined height H of the interior volume V.

In order to immobilize the measuring utensil 100 when the handle 102 has been engaged in the insert portion 55 b, one or more pressing members 59 or similar immobilizing members can engage directly the insert portion 55 b when the insert portion 55 b is in an engaged configuration within the rear slit 103. These members 59 are here arranged on an infer face of the clamping members 106, 107. The slit 103 thus can have an increased clamping action proximate the free end 102 a, which is advantageous when the members 59 are engaged in the central hole 50 or similar recess. More generally, a clip function can be provided near the free end 102 a of the handle 102 for retaining the insert portion 55 b.

After taking the required quantity, the user attaches the measuring utensil 100 by engaging the contact part 55 in the slit 103, so that the contact part 55 then forms a holding part. In a gusset pouch 1, the maximum of spacing between the two strips of the closure system 2 is defined in a median plane between the junctions 6 a, 6 b. Accordingly, it is of interest of having a contact part 55 that intersect such virtual median plane P5 (FIGS. 8C and 12 show such media plane P5).

In some options advantageous to reduce amount of plastic in the strip 8 or 9, the contact part 55 has a length (large size thereof) typically strictly lower than one third of length of the interlocking area 10, preferably lower than one quarter of length of the interlocking area 10. In preferred embodiments, the length of the contact part 55, here measured at the junction 55 a, may be strictly lower than 50 mm and the rectilinear continous portion of the free edge 56 is typically comprised between 15 mm and 40 mm.

The open side of the cup 101 is oriented toward the bottom 3. The measuring utensil 100 is then held in position, here a longitudinal position, and immobilized in this position after the pouch 1 has been closed by fastening the strips 8, 9 each other or suing any suitable closure system 2 suitable for this kind of flexible package. Should the pouch 1 be handled energetically in a closed state, immobilization of the measuring utensil 100 by the insert portion 55 b can be sufficient to prevent the measuring utensil 100 from falling into the content 13.

When the pouch 1 is used the next time, the measuring utensil 100 is immediately visible and can be withdrawn very easily if the handle 102 is adjacent to the opening 7 and orientation of the measuring utensil 100 is already a vertical orientation.

Of course, the content of the pouch 1 could also be retrieved with a standard teaspoon or tablespoon, but no user-friendly retaining of the spoon would be obtained and advantages of a longitudinal storage position of the measuring utensil 100 would be lost.

In some options, the contact part 55 formed on a first strip 8 or 9 can only be shaped as retaining means for holding a predetermined measuring utensil 100 and either a tongue-like leveling element is provided on the other strip 8 or 9, or no leveling element is provided. In other options, no rear slit 103 is provided in the measuring utensil 100 but a hook-like projection is formed proximate the free end 102 a, allowing retaining of the measuring utensil 100 in a same longitudinal storage position (same general position as shown in FIG. 11) when the projection is engaged in the central hole 50 or similar recess defined by one of the strips 8, 9 of the pouch 1.

In one option, the tongue-like contact part 55 is provided as separated element that can be fastened to one of the strips 8, 9, below the interlocking area. Such tongue can for example be wrapped in the same bag where the measuring utensil 100 is initially housed.

Now referring to FIG. 14, it can be seen that the protruding contact part 55′ can also be provided with two tongue like members, separated by a slot 75, and integrally formed with the main flexible part 28. In the measuring utensil 100, at the end 102 a of the handle 102, the slit 103 may be replaced by at least one kerf or similar groove, for example two opposite side grooves, and/or one or more sliding projections 103 a, 103 b (here rib like projections). Such projections 103 a, 103 b may be used to cooperate with the edges of the slot 75. The front end of each projection 103 a or 103 b, which is the first to be in contact with the contact part 55′ when placing and storing the measuring utensil 100, may be provided with small ribs R1, R2 or similar relief elastically engaged at the locally wider rear end of the slot 75. A snap fitting is thus provided in such option. Of course, one or more pressing members 59 such as shown in the embodiment of FIG. 9C may be used to produce a snap at the end of placing the handle 102.

Two holes 50 are here optionally provided for facilitating the curving of the main flexible part 8 when the pouch 1 has to be open. While two free edges 56 a, 56 b are shown in FIG. 14 for allowing a leveling, such free edges 56 a, 56 b of significant size (with a rectilinear portion as in most of the other preceding embodiments) can be partly or entirely replaced by narrow tongues.

It should be noted that in that case the leveling element is produced, in the same way as one of the strips, from extruding plastic, this enables geometric forms which are rather precise. This can provide good adaptability to the geometry of the measuring utensil 100, especially if the latter does not have a well-known predetermined form.

Of course, the embodiments described above are in no way limiting, their features can be combined and other variants are conceivable. It is in particular possible to produce another kind of fixation in the closure system 2, not necessarily with an interlocking area 10 such as shown in the figures. For instance, as an additional feature or substitution feature, at least one of the pull members 16, 18 could be provided with a fixation element to maintain the closure system 2 in the first flat configuration.

In some embodiments, the closure system 2 may be of a different kind with the two locking tabs 41, 42 removed (with or without equivalent feature to hold open the pouch 1), for example when only having the contact part 55, 55′.

The terms “rear” and “front” are used, only for purpose of the description, to define relative positions of the main flexible panels of the bag B. However, it is understood that these terms are relative and the terms “rear” and “front” may be inverted, depending of the context. Accordingly, it is understood that the wall 5 could be called “front wall” and the wall 4 could be called “rear wall”.

The single opening 7 is preferably as wide as the bottom 3 for a closed pouch 1, as shown in the depicted embodiments. But in some constructions, the opening 7 may be shaped and sized differently. For instance, a tapered part or similar transition section may be provided in the bag B.

Besides, while the two strips 8 and 9 have been described as two pieces of semi rigid plastic material, options with a single annular piece of semi rigid plastic material or with at least three interconnected pieces of semi rigid plastic material are not excluded. Of course, the section or assembly parts fixed to the front wall 4 have to be considered as defining the first strip 8, while the section or assembly parts fixed to the rear wall 5 have to be considered as defining the second strip 9.

While the bag B can advantageously have a front wall 4 and a rear wall 5 in a flat configuration when the interior volume V is empty, in the first configuration of the closure system 2, one can form another kind of bag, for example with additional panels (for instance in order to define an assembly of two front panels functionally similar to the front wall 4 depicted in the figures) or one or more intermediate walls defining all or part of the longitudinal junctions 6 a, 6 b. More generally, it will be obvious that the use of the verb “to comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of any other elements besides those defined in any claim.

The word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Any reference sign in the following claims should not be construed as limiting the claim. 

1-13. (canceled)
 14. A gusset style pouch for a food product comprising: a flexible bag having a front wall and a rear wall made of a sheet material and extending from a bottom; a closure system comprising a fitment device secured to the front wall and the rear wall, the closure system comprising: a first strip having an outer surface sealed to one of the front wall and the rear wall, and a second strip having an outer surface sealed to the other one of the front wall and the rear wall; the flexible bag defining an interior volume for the food product, the interior volume having a determined height measured between the bottom and a single opening of the flexible bag; wherein at least one of the first strip and the second strip is made of a determined semi rigid plastic material and comprises: an upper edge; a lower edge; a protruding contact part adapted to be used in combination with a measuring utensil, the protruding contact part extending entirely below an interlocking area of the closure system; and wherein the protruding contact part extends between at least one base portion proximal with respect to the interlocking area and at least one free edge distal from the interlocking area, wherein the protruding contact part: belongs to a strip portion not bonded to the flexible bag, and defines at least one of a leveling element and a retaining element for retaining an end of an elongated measuring utensil of shorter length than the determined height.
 15. The gusset style pouch according to claim 14, wherein the free edge extends parallel to a length of the interlocking area.
 16. The gusset style pouch according to claim 14, further comprising an elongated predetermined measuring utensil that comprises a first end having a cup and a second end, the predetermined measuring utensil extending between the first end and the second end, the cup being provided with an open side, the length of the predetermined measuring utensil being inferior to the determined height.
 17. The gusset style pouch according to claim 16, wherein the protruding contact part has a substantially constant thickness and/or is made of strip material and configured to maintain the predetermined measuring utensil in a storage position by a retaining contact at the second end of the predetermined measuring utensil.
 18. The gusset style pouch according to claim 16, wherein the second end of the predetermined measuring utensil comprises a clamping slit configured to match the free edge of the protruding contact part, the predetermined measuring utensil being oriented in a direction transverse to the interlocking area when the free edge is inserted into the clamping slit.
 19. The gusset style pouch according to claim 16, wherein the second end of the predetermined measuring utensil comprises at least one sliding projection configured to slide and be retained into a slot of the protruding contact part, the predetermined measuring utensil being oriented in a direction transverse to the interlocking area when said sliding projection is inserted into the slot.
 20. The gusset style pouch according to claim 16, wherein the protruding contact part at least partly delimits a hole and the second end of the predetermined measuring utensil comprises a clip element defining a slit where the protruding contact part can be inserted when the clip element is inserted through the hole, the predetermined measuring utensil being oriented in a direction transverse to the interlocking area when the protruding contact part is inserted into the slit.
 21. The gusset style pouch according to claim 14, wherein the first strip and the second strip are interlockable strips for resealable attachment at the interlocking area in a closed configuration of the closure system after an initial opening of the closure system, and wherein: the upper edge extends above the interlocking area; the lower edge extends below the interlocking area; at least two predetermined flexing lines are provided in the closure system so that the strips are movable from a first flat configuration obtained when the closure system is in the closed configuration to a second flexed configuration when the closure system is open.
 22. The gusset style pouch according to claim 14, wherein the flexible bag contains: edible material, and a measuring utensil provided with a cup and a handle, the measuring utensil being adapted to be stored in the interior volume, entirely below anchoring elements of the closure system in a storage position of the measuring utensil, and wherein the anchoring elements are defined in the first strip and in the second strip, the protruding contact part being made of strip material and configured to maintain the measuring utensil in the storage position by a retaining contact at an end of the handle.
 23. The gusset style pouch according to claim 22, wherein the handle of the measuring utensil (is provided with an insertion housing and the retaining contact is obtained by clamping of the protruding contact part into the insertion housing.
 24. The gusset style pouch according to claim 22, wherein the free edge defines a leveling element.
 25. The gusset style pouch according to claim 14, wherein the protruding contact part is coupled to the lower edge at the base portion.
 26. The gusset style pouch according to claim 14, wherein the protruding contact part is made of strip material as thin as the first strip and the second strip.
 27. A method of using a closure system of a gusset style pouch, the closure system comprising a semi rigid fitment device secured to the flexible front wall and the flexible rear wall and configured to define a top opening of the pouch in an open configuration, at the opposite to a bottom, the method comprising: providing an elongated predetermined measuring utensil of shorter length than height of an interior volume defined by the pouch, the measuring utensil having a handle free end opposite to a cup, fixing the predetermined measuring utensil to the fitment device when the closure system is in a open configuration, by connecting a holding part of the fitment device to a retaining element provided at the handle free end of the measuring utensil, the holding part extending entirely below the opening, whereby the handle free end extends above a food content of the pouch and a substantially vertical storage position for the measuring utensil is obtained in a closed configuration of the closure system when the pouch stands in a upright position where the bottom defines bearing means of the pouch.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the holding part that belongs to the closure system is engaged by the cup of the measuring utensil in a leveling step, in which an open side of the cup of the measuring device slides against a rectilinear free edge of the holding part, the rectilinear free edge extending parallel to an interlocking area defined by the closure system in the closed configuration, which is a substantially flat configuration of the fitment device. 